The latest news articles featuring BC Centre on Substance Use.
Benzodiazepines are now ‘a major problem’ in illicit drug supply
February 10, 2022 | DATAC
Across Canada, provincial health experts and authorities have expressed concerns due to the growing incidence of detection of benzodiazepines in the illicit drug supply. According to the findings of a report released by the BC Coroners Service, the detection of benzodiazepines – a class of psych...
Advocates give out drugs, push for better safe supply after B.C. breaks overdose record
February 09, 2022 | CTV News Vancouver
In a moment of silence and remembrance, a few dozen people shouted out the names of friends and loved ones who died last year due to a drug overdose. As they honoured those they have lost, drug user advocates also took the opportunity to hand out 0.1-gram doses of cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine,...
BC Fails to Slow Rising Deaths from Toxic Drugs
February 09, 2022 | The Tyee
Toxic drugs killed 2,224 people in British Columbia in 2021, the highest number ever, the BC Coroners Service reported today. In November and December — the most deadly months on record with 210 and 215 people dead — an average of seven people died every day. Despite government promises of actio...
Doctors Are Prescribing Fentanyl to Help People Addicted to Opioids
January 28, 2022 | VICE
Over the past 40 years, Jeff Louden has used many different types of opioids, including heroin and fentanyl, and he’s been arrested time and time again because of it. “When you’re sick, there’s not much you won’t do to get better—sell dope, rob banks, break into houses, whatever,” ...
Could a vaccine prevent drug deaths and cure addiction? U.S. research draws mixed reaction in B.C.
January 27, 2022 | CBC News
Some researchers believe vaccines could be a powerful new tool to fight substance use disorder and overdoses, but some experts are expressing caution about the idea. Columbia University neurobiology professor Sandra Comer is one of the leaders of a project developing drug-specific vaccines to produ...
